Kim Jin-wook and Park Beom-gye Targeted by Opposition... Hearing Swords Sharpened from Early New Year

Kim Jin-wook, the nominee for the Chief of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency, is arriving at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up in Ima Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 31st. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

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[Asia Economy reporters Kang Nahum, Won Dara, Jeon Jinyoung] As the Blue House nominates the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gongsoocheo) and the Minister of Justice candidate to finalize 'prosecutorial reform,' the National Assembly is entering a confirmation hearing political season to welcome the new year. In particular, opposition parties such as the People Power Party have announced plans for microscopic scrutiny of these candidates, predicting fierce clashes between the ruling and opposition parties from the beginning of the year.

Kim Jin-wook, the Gongsoocheo chief candidate, started his first day at the Jongno office on the 31st and began full-scale preparation for the confirmation hearing. He targeted the prosecution, saying, "Power that reigns over the people should not exist under the Constitution." However, he drew a line by stating, "There is no specific target in mind for Gongsoocheo's investigations."

Park Beom-gye, the Minister of Justice candidate, also expressed his determination after the announcement of his nomination the previous day, saying, "In this grave situation, I, an insufficient person, have been nominated as the Minister of Justice candidate, so my shoulders feel very heavy," and added, "I will listen to the voices of the people and complete prosecutorial reform."

However, contrary to their aspirations, the confirmation hearings are expected to face difficulties. In Kim's case, even agreeing on the schedule for the hearing with the opposition party is expected to be challenging. Since two People Power Party recommendation committee members walked out and the candidate was approved, the opposition is likely to question the procedural legitimacy from the outset.

Verification of political neutrality is also expected. Choi Hyung-doo, the People Power Party floor spokesperson, emphasized in a statement the previous day, "We will thoroughly verify and question whether the Gongsoocheo chief candidate, nominated by stripping the opposition party's recommendation rights, will become the 'pro-Moon Blue House protector' as the public fears."

Some express concerns about his short investigative experience. Kim's investigative career consists only of two months spent on a special prosecutor team. Because of this, criticism has been raised that the Gongsoocheo chief, who investigates crimes of high-ranking officials, lacks expertise. In response, Lee Chan-hee, president of the Korean Bar Association who recommended Kim, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that day and stated, "Although it was only two months, the special prosecutor team handles only one special case, so he can gain sufficient experience."

Integrity is also a point of contention. It has been confirmed that he lives in a Jeonse apartment worth over 1.2 billion won in Daechi-dong, Seoul, which is expected to become a target of opposition attacks.

In Park's case, the controversy over the wrongful conviction in the 'Samrye Nara Supermarket Trio Robbery and Manslaughter Case' during his time as a judge is expected to resurface. He was the presiding judge at the time of the verdict and officially apologized to the victims of the wrongful conviction in 2017.

The ruling Democratic Party plans to swiftly conclude the confirmation hearings and tighten the reins on prosecutorial reform. Kim Tae-nyeon, the Democratic Party floor leader, said that day, "We will prepare for the prompt launch of Gongsoocheo. Tricks and delays cannot stop the wheels of reform," and urged, "We ask the People Power Party to cooperate so that Gongsoocheo can start successfully."

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